Dear Mr. KIA, have you noticed that Bangkok’s weather has been so strangely cold lately? So I’ve been thinking of getting myself a lot of winter wear. I really love those knitted sweaters and scarves I see the models wearing on the runway and it inspired me to learn how to knit my own woolies. OK, my idea might have come a bit too early for this winter but I‘m a slow learner, so I might just have time to master it before the cold-snap really hits. Thing is Mr. KIA, I don’t want to learn no grandma patterns; I want to be able to make cute and stylish woolens. Can you fix me up? Natty Knitter

Dear NK, Believe it or not, but there’s been a definite knitting trend simmering under the surface for quite a while in Bangkok, even when it was 35 degrees Celsius outside. And when global warming does finally kick in, you can rattle out pillow cases, handbags—your ball of wool is pretty much your oyster. Here are some places to perfect your cross stitch and double crochets.
Craft-crazy celebs and hisos flock to Big Knit 49 (Natural Park Bldg., next to Dental Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-260-5050. www.bigknit49.com) for its good quality supplies of yarn as well as the cakes and coffee offered at the attached café. Even though there are no real intensive classes, they are quite happy to teach you how to knit, as long as you’re buying that is. Check out on their web for updates on workshop knitivities.
Knitting House (191/3, Sathorn Soi2, Sathorn Nua Rd., 02-635-0176. www.knittinghouse.com) is an established knitting school offering classes from beginner (scarves and sweaters) to advanced (gloves, stuffed dolls) level. For a basic sweater class, it’s B6,000 for a 20-hour course and you can pick your own schedule to suit.
The arts and crafts center, BB Decoupage (1200, Sukhumvit Soi 103 (Udomsuk 58), 089-795-9228), offers knitting classes alongside other handiwork lessons like painting, ceramics, soap carving and more. The basic knitting class is around B300 for one day. The center will also prep the kits for you for an additional B200.